Say Goodbye to Chipmunks: 12 Easy Tricks to Reclaim Your Yard!
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Chipmunks might appear cute at first, but they can destroy your garden, dig up flowerbeds, and raid your bird feeders, leaving you frustrated and your outdoor space in chaos. The National Wildlife Federation explains that chipmunks can destroy plants and property by burrowing around foundations and uprooting landscaping.
If their activity is not checked, what was once a peaceful yard can turn into a constant battleground. A report by Grand View Research highlighted that the global pest control service market size was valued at USD 22.64 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2024 to 2030.
You don’t have to hire a professional service for a chipmunk-free yard. These 12 easy and inexpensive tricks will help you protect your plants, maintain the beauty of your yard, and regain your outdoor haven. Continue reading!
Clear Nuts, Seeds, and Pet Food
The first step in keeping chipmunks away is not leaving any food around your yard. “Keep your yard clear of any nuts, berries, seeds, or pet food that they may be coming around to eat, and make sure any garden vegetation they may be interested in eating is completely inaccessible to them,” recommends Meg Pearson, a training manager at Critter Control.
Rake and remove nuts and fruits from trees and shrubs regularly. Clean up birdseed spills immediately, as chipmunks will be attracted to this area. Keep pet food inside or away from your yard if chipmunks enter it.
Block Access to Garden Plants
Chipmunks adore fresh garden produce and vegetation, making gardens their number one target. Cover any more vulnerable plants with mesh or netting to block access.
Raised garden beds can also be a barrier to chipmunks when appropriate protective barriers are in place. Plant cages or cloches over smaller plants for additional protection. Heavy mulching around plants will also discourage digging.
Install Deep Garden Fences
Chipmunks are great burrowers, and normal fences cannot always stop them. To avoid digging, set up a fence several feet deep into the ground.
A hardware cloth or chicken wire fence is ideal for this purpose. The bottom edge should be well buried and angled outward for added security. The height of the fence should also be good enough to prevent jumping over it.
Chipmunk-Proof Bird Feeders
Bird feeders are sometimes unwitting chipmunk invitations into your yard. Buy feeders with protective baffles, cages, or weighted hoppers that admit only birds to the food. Suspend feeders from poles that have smooth surfaces to make climbing impossible.
Regularly clean up spilled seeds around feeders to discourage wildlife. Place feeders 10 feet away from trees or other structures that chipmunks can climb. This will ensure that your bird feeder serves its intended visitors and does not attract chipmunks.
Sprinkle Deterrent Spices
“Sprinkling different spices on your yard such as , peppermint, apple cider, garlic, or even coffee grounds can get chipmunks to avoid the area,” says Nick Masengarb, a virtual handyperson expert at Frontdoor. Sprinkle these substances in the garden bed or near burrows where chipmunks frequent.
These products irritate their very sensitive noses without harming them. Repeat after heavy rain or heavy watering. Note that if you have pets, you should be cautious because some spices may affect them, too.
Barn Cats
Barn cats are a natural, organic method of chipmunk control in your yard. They instinctively eliminate chipmunks by hunting them, and the smell of their presence deters rodents from nesting and feeding in that area.
Unlike traps or poisons, barn cats will provide ongoing, humane pest control in exchange for basic care like shelter, food, and vaccinations. They patrol your yard, disturb chipmunk activities, and protect gardens without polluting the environment.
Activate Sprinklers
Chipmunks do not like water; thus, sprinklers can simultaneously work for garden irrigation and chipmunk repelling. Motion-activated sprinklers are the best for startling them when they get too close.
Watering your lawn or garden regularly also makes it less appealing for chipmunks. Keep the sprinkler on in areas of your yard where chipmunks regularly dig. This keeps them away without hurting them.
Plant Daffodils or Lavender
“Consider adding lavender, daffodils, marigold, and allium plants to your yard—and as a bonus, they’ll spruce up your garden,” says Nick Masengarb. These species are unappealing to them and can serve as a protective barrier around your garden.
Plant them near vegetable beds or burrow entrances where the risk is high. Besides being functional, these plants add color and fragrance to your yard. They require little maintenance and thrive in various soil types.
Trim Tree Limbs and Shrubs
Chipmunks use tree branches and shrubs for pathways to your house, garden, or bird feeders. Prune tree limbs to keep them at least 10 feet away from these structures. Regular pruning cuts down on access points and covers for chipmunks to hide.
Overgrown shrubs may also serve as shelters; thus, always keep them neat and sparse. Taking out these pathways will make your yard less accessible.
Seal Utility Line Holes
Small holes in the exterior of your home, where utility lines enter, can be chipmunk entryways. “Chipmunks may enter your crawl space to make nests, where they can chew on insulation and wiring,” says Lori Johnson, president at The Grounds Guys.
Seal even the tiniest opening with steel wool, caulking, or wire mesh since chipmunks can squeeze through a small space. Use the most durable material available that chipmunks cannot chew through. Check regularly for new gaps, which may appear over time.
Cover Downspouts with Mesh
Chipmunks can climb into downspouts and clog them with bedding material, causing water damage. To prevent access, cover downspout openings with wire mesh. The mesh should be regularly cleaned to ensure its effectiveness.
Downspout guards also deter other small animals from nesting inside. This minor investment can save you from costly repairs in the long run. A protected drainage system keeps chipmunks away and your home safe.
Remove Downspout Clogs
Chipmunks often fill the downspouts with leaves or twigs for a convenient nest. This would clog the passage and hinder water flow; drainage issues could arise, leading to further potential water damage.
Regularly clean downspouts to ensure that no blockage of the passageways has taken place. Clean the area with a drain snake or hose using high pressure. This action removes some possible nesting material, making the area unattractive for chipmunks.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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